Monday, October 29, 2012

We left Etosha two days earlier. The heat made Adam very ratty and during the evenings he wasn't feeling very well.Anderson Camp was very nice and we enjoyed our stay. The staff were very understanding when we told them Adam had the mumps and we had decided to leave.

We thought of taking him to the dr in the local town or maybe even going home, but we decided that as we were heading North the heat wouldn't be so bad, and unlike Etosha, we would be able to drive with the aircon on, and we were right. We also stopped for ice creams and biltong along the way. That evening we camped at a game farm called Bush Baby's.The staff were friendly and very accomodating that we had pitched two days early. However, we were not that impressed. Even though the camp site was on grass, had a nice swimming pool, the ablution facilities were clean but much to be desired. The camp site stank of goat or buck droppings.

They say that a happy wife equals happy camping and that is very true.I refused to go camping this time with our old safari tent. It took ages to erect and even longer to clean and dismantle. As we were sometimes just camping overnight, and I was not prepared to spend an hour on a tent. We pitched our new turbo tent, which went up in less than five minutes. Needless to say, I was very happy.

The next day Adam started having side effects to the malaria medication which we had started to take. He had the runs! That meant frequently stopping at the side of the road. When he had to go, he had to go, and so we had to immediately stop. Luckily we were not near any towns otherwise we would have had serious problems.

The terrain has changed. Very bushy and lush with many game farms. Until now, Namibia has been quiet "Western".I have noticed for the first time here little rural thatch huts, kraals with chickens, ( chickens are a rarity here) and more people. So far I have only seen people in the towns. Ladies are also selling wood carvings and clay pots by the side of the road. Its started to become overcast and its threatening to rain. The temperate has dropped 10'c since this morning. Let you know how it goes. I wonder if the rainy season has come a few weeks earlier. Hopefully not!
Regards
Karen Lawrence-African Shark Eco-Charters.
+27826749454

I am always amazed how little we eat on holiday. In the heat, one just doesn't feel like eating. We have previously over catered, and have had to throw away loads of fresh produce like butternut, onions and potatoes. Now we generally just open some tinned beans, corn or beetroot or similar at night. We do like to braai a lot, but we keep the portions pretty small. A chop and a piece of wors is perfect. Often the kids are so tired that they don't even make the braai. And since corn and beans, and now butter beans for Jordan, are a firm favourite, they are more than happy to wolf half a can of each before hitting the sack. Lunch is normally some cheese and crackers.

This is the second year I have brought my toaster along, as I have visions of us munching toast for breakfast (that's of course if their is electricity at the camp sites). I think its because when you go camping for a week end your needs are different and so you pack accordingly! Last year it didn't come out of its box and so far its heading the same way, so it will be the last holiday for the toaster. The same went for the frying pan ( visions of eggs and bacon), but it didn't make it this trip as breakfast is normally super quick coffee and cereal, so we can get the show on the road and go on our game drive.

We never pack sweet as they melt. Chips also don't come along as they become reduced to mush. But this year we took lollipops. Reason being is that it's the first time the kids have to swallow pills ( for malaria). Even though they are tiny, it was an incentive for them; especially Jordan who is a fussy with taking medicine. It has worked very well.

So long for now.....
Regards
Karen Lawrence-African Shark Eco-Charters.
+27826749454

Since Jordan had just had the mumps, we were well aware that Adam may very well catch it. We stocked up our first aid box with lots of Nurofen and Stilpain syryp, and in the fridge was the Voltaren suppositories. Even so, Rob and I considered going home. However, the medicine had worked it wonders and Adam woke up feeling fine, that is, until the med's wore out. To be on the safe side, we found a chemist in Windhoek and bought a second lot of everything for him.

Day 2 was pretty uneventful. The drive was long and boring. We stopped often to minister meds, buy ice creams and stretch our legs. We arrived at the guest house in Windhoek feeling hot and bothered. The kids immediately jumped into the pool, while Rob and I off loaded our overnight gear. The guest house was pleasant and quiet, but I noticed that there was only 1 toilet and shower. I imagined how congested that would be if all the rooms had been occupied. Soon afterwards we headed into town for some supper and to purchase a few odds and ends. The Spar in Windhoek was amazing. I haven't seen Rob so excited about food products like this in my life. Rows and rows of fine German products lined the shelves. Their were service helpers in the isles asking us if we needed help. Wow, how fantastic was that! I needed bread flour and they showed me to an isle of stunning flour, local and German selection. They even sold Rye flour, which I really didn't think I would find.

Supper was terrible to put it mildly. We went to the Ocean Basket, playing it safe as its a franchise that we visit a lot. The calamari was so over cooked and they forgot to bring Adam's food. They also had run out of serviettes, Hake, and a few other items!

That evening as I was preparing the rye bread in the communal kitchen, I received a lot of questions from some guests when they saw that I had brought my bread maker along. The entire guest house smelt of yummy freshly baked Rye bread the next morning, and it tasted as good as it smelt.Day 3:SqThe next days drive was just as long and boring. Adam fared extremely well, sleeping on and off in the car. Jordan spent all her time glued to the dvd player. I bought them a pair of head phones each so I wouldn't have to listen to countless Barbie or Dora the Explorer's.We stopped again for lots of "wee" breaks, ice cream and biltong and to buy beer. I was thrilled to find that the Spar's here in Namibia stock beer and Cider, and that they had my favourite cider, Foundary in stock. I love Namibia for its biltong alone. Its the bomb! It's the nicest stuff I have ever eaten. I have a friend who was a vegetarian, and after spending some time here on a film shoot, he was well and truly converted to a meat eater, thanks to Namibian biltong!

The temperature has soared into its mid 30's and as long as it doesn't go into the 40's I will be happy.

We arrived at Anderson Camp in the late afternoon and the kids immediately headed for the pool while I ordered a pink gin and tonic. Afterward we sat at the waterhole checking out the little birds, and watching a Giraffe, Gemsbok, Eland Warthog drink water. and then We dined on Gemsbok steak that night, which was absolutely delicious. Had a super sleep that night.

We left cape town an hour later than planned. The roads were smooth and the day went by quickly, that's until we hit the road works. 15min here, 20 min there, adds at least an hour to the day.
As we got closer to the border, we entered the edge of the Rigtersveld, the landscape changed dramatically. Huge smokey grey granite boulders were piled ontop of one another and it felt as it we were driving on through a different planet. Even the "feel and atmosphere" of the terrain was different. It was very surreal.

The Noordoewer border crossing was uneventful. Officials with an air of superiority and disdain for travellers, asked stupid, pointless questions to the group of foreigners ahead of us in attempt of making them feel anxious and uncomfortable.
Our kids suddenly started playing up and the officials, seeing that I was starting to unravel, took mercy on us and our passports were suddenly swiftly stamped and we were free to continue on our holiday.

150km later, we passed Gruanu on the way to the overnight guest farm called the Withuis. The owners Dolf and Kinna were friendly and helpful. Kinna handed us a plate of home made aniseed rusks, which were delicious and the kids happily chomped them.
Our flatlet was basic, clean and comfortable and while we unpacked, the kids played with the goats and in the sand. Later on we found out that the half of the rusks had been fed to the goats.
Supper that night was a plateful of delicious pre-cooked lasagne that we had brought up with us, as the last thing I would have wanted to do, was cook.
At 1am, Adam started crying heavily. He had come down with the mumps. Poor little mite! A good dose of Stilpain and a suppository and 15 minutes later he was fast asleep.
Regards
Karen Lawrence-African Shark Eco-Charters.
+27826749454

We left cape town an hour later than planned. The roads were smooth and the day went by quickly, that's until we hit the road works. 15min here, 20 min there, adds at least an hour to the day.
As we got closer to the border, we entered the edge of the Rigtersveld, the landscape changed dramatically. Huge smokey grey granite boulders were piled ontop of one another and it felt as it we were driving on through a different planet. Even the "feel and atmosphere" of the terrain was different. It was very surreal.

The Noordoewer border crossing was uneventful. Officials with an air of superiority and disdain for travellers, asked stupid, pointless questions to the group of foreigners ahead of us in attempt of making them feel anxious and uncomfortable.
Our kids suddenly started playing up and the officials, seeing that I was starting to unravel, took mercy on us and our passports were suddenly swiftly stamped and we were free to continue on our holiday.

150km later, we passed Gruanu on the way to the overnight guest farm called the Withuis. The owners Dolf and Kinna were friendly and helpful. Kinna handed us a plate of home made aniseed rusks, which were delicious and the kids happily chomped them.
Our flatlet was basic, clean and comfortable and while we unpacked, the kids played with the goats and in the sand. Later on we found out that the half of the rusks had been fed to the goats.
Supper that night was a plateful of delicious pre-cooked lasagne that we had brought up with us, as the last thing I would have wanted to do, was cook.
At 1am, Adam started crying heavily. He had come down with the mumps. Poor little mite! A good dose of Stilpain and a suppository and 15 minutes later he was fast asleep.
Regards
Karen Lawrence-African Shark Eco-Charters.
+27826749454

Friday, October 12, 2012

I have been on Espiride for a few months now, which worked very well for anxiety attacks and to calm my "running thoughts'. However, I started to have side effects (it was causing acne) and I have had to come off it. I have been put on Fluanxol instead. I havent started taking it yet as I thankfully haven't had any panic attacks.

I have also been put on Seroquel as I have been in the hypo-manic stage for a while and cant seem to switch off and have been sleeping very badly. I started them last night, and for the first time in ages, I had a wonderful sleep. I really felt refreshed this morning. However, from 2pm, I have been extremely tired and super ratty and I admit that I have been most unpleasant to be around. I am wondering if this is a side effect, as it says the most common side effect is tiredness. When I am tired, boy oh boy, do I get ratty!

I will take the Seroquel for the next few days and see how I feel. If by Monday the tiredness hasnt gone away then I will re-assess the med's.